Big thumbs up for app that points way to London's free car spaces

A new smartphone app tells drivers where they can locate free on-street parking in London.

Yellow Line Parking has for the first time mapped parking data from 600 controlled parking zones across 32 boroughs.

When it is free to park, this will be indicated by a green “thumbs up” icon which will also tell the driver how many hours of parking there are. A red “thumbs down” icon will indicate that restrictions apply and the driver needs to pay.

Neighbouring zones will also be highlighted and turn green or red depending on availability.

The app, which is free, follows the vehicle’s position using GPS.

It has been designed on the assumption that many drivers miss out on free parking because they do not understand the complex rules which change from borough to borough, for example in residents’ bays, at meters and on yellow lines. The app was devised by Dan Hubert, a creative director at advertising firm TBWA. He said: “The idea came about when I was going to a show in the West End by car. The only space available was a single yellow line but no one dared park there as there was no time plate on it. I asked a parking warden and he said it was free.”

Nick Lester, corporate director of services at London Councils, has personally endorsed the app. He hopes that it can soon be linked to council websites in return for updated information (such as parking bay suspensions). The app is available for iPhone and will be extended to Androids soon.